Predicting water quality trends resulting from forest cover change in an agriculturally dominated river basin in Eastern Ontario, Canada

Agricultural extensification and forest cover loss can significantly impact aquatic ecosystems. This study considered the conversion of forests to agriculture (and vice versa) in an agriculturally dominated watershed in Eastern Ontario, Canada. A series of de- and reforestation scenarios were developed, and water quantity/quality simulations were executed using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) using 30 years of real-world weather observations. Results indicated that streamflow and sediment loads were not sensitive to forest loss, while continuing the recent rate of deforestation of 0.8% (0.2% of the watershed area) per year would, by 2032, increase annual loads of nitrate by 5.6%, total nitrogen by 1.5%, and total phosphorus by 6.8%. Additionally, the same land-use scenarios were simulated with the inclusion of vegetated filter strips (VFS) and grassed waterways. Some reforestation scenarios were sufficient to reduce total nitrogen concentrations below water quality guidelines, particularly under the combined effect of VFSs along all river reaches. However, meeting water quality guidelines for total phosphorus concentrations requires additional improvements to management practices beyond those simulated here.

Advances in mass spectrometry for molecular characterization of oil sands naphthenic acids and process chemicals in wetlands

Advances in mass spectrometry in the authors’ and key collaborators’ research are reviewed for analysis of oil sands naphthenic acids fraction compounds (NAFCs) and industrial process chemicals, sulfolane and alkanolamines in wetlands. Focus is given to developments of analyses of NAFCs in constructed wetland treatment systems and natural wetlands in the Athabasca oil sands region, Alberta, Canada. The analytical developments are applied to show the utility of wetlands to sequester and oxidize oil sands naphthenic acids. The advancements in molecular characterization led to the first application of high-resolution mass spectrometry (Fourier transform ion-cyclotron resonance; and Orbitrap mass spectrometry) for elucidation of toxic mono-and dicarboxylic NAFCs in oil sands environmental samples. Key findings reveal that oil sands NAFCs are not limited to saturated structures, but contain a diverse range of components, many of which contain S, N, heteroatomic species and aromatic species. Other developments of mass spectrometry methods for industrial process chemicals show for the first time that the completely water-miscible chemical, sulfolane, translocate to upper portions of cattails at natural wetland sites in the Canadian environment. Likewise, wetland-plant mediated changes of complex mixtures of alkanolamines were revealed based on the coupling of ion chromatography mass spectrometry and ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry. The advances in mass spectrometry are of particular benefit to Canada, for development of soil and water quality guidelines for oil sands NAFCs and process chemicals. In turn, the water quality guidelines serve to protect Canadian aquatic environments.

Trends in Organic Contamination in River Yamuna: A Case Study of Delhi Stretch (2007-2016)

The river Ganges largest tributary is river Yamuna and it is the longest tributary in India serving millions of individuals. It is emerging from the glacier known as Yamunotri that has a height of 6,387m that travel through Uttarakhand to Allahabad. The water from river is abstracted as well as in stream used for irrigation, power generation, domestic water supply, industrial use, etc., because of which the after affects are many. In India, an alarming situation exists since quite a long time in river pollution. When river Yamuna enters Delhi, it meets the water quality guidelines with respect to Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) but during its exit the water quality deteriorated. The main reasons of deterioration of the river water are sewage discharge and industrial effluents and mis utilization of fresh water. The dilution capacity of the river also gets reduced due to significant water abstraction. The chief contributor of contamination is National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi followed by Agra and Mathura by either point or non-point sources.In this paper we investigated the ongoing trends in basic water quality guidelines of the River Yamuna which show huge deviation in Delhi segment. Due to the influence of industrialization, urbanization and horticultural advances the Delhi segment gets severely contaminated. Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) was undertaken by the government for the restoration and preservation of the river Yamuna. The DO, BOD in the Delhi segment and eutrophicated segment investigation, the water quality parameter trends in the river Yamuna represent that regardless of the considerable number of endeavors the water quality isn't fit for assigned best utilizations. The outcomes require inventive points of view in the advancement of a refreshed comprehensive preservation technique for the river Yamuna.

An evaluation of water quality at Sandhill Wetland: implications for reclaiming wetlands above soft tailings deposits in northern Alberta, Canada

The experimental Sandhill Wetland is the first permanent reclamation of a composite tailings deposit, and annual water quality monitoring is of specific interest for evaluating and predicting long-term reclamation performance. Here, we present water chemistry monitoring data obtained from Sandhill Wetland (years 2009–2019) and compare results to twelve natural reference wetlands and to environmental quality guidelines for Alberta surface waters. By comparing water quality at Sandhill Wetland and natural sites to established guidelines, we can begin to document the natural background water quality of wetlands in the region and examine if guideline exceedances are seen in natural undisturbed environments, or appear only at active reclamation sites. At Sandhill Wetland the dominant ions in near-surface water were bicarbonate, sulfate, chloride, sodium, calcium, and magnesium. Since the first growing season concentrations for these ions have increased annually, causing concurrent increases in electrical conductivity. In year 2019, water chemistry at Sandhill Wetland was most comparable to regional saline fens, systems that exhibit elevated electrical conductivity and high sodicity. Near-surface water at Sandhill Wetland exceeded water quality guidelines for three substances/properties (dissolved chloride, iron, and total alkalinity) in the most recent year of monitoring. The saline fen natural sites also exceeded water quality guidelines for the same chemical substances/properties, suggesting guideline exceedances are a norm for some natural wetland site types in the region. Of note, in each year of monitoring at Sandhill Wetland, dissolved organic compounds evaluated in sub- and near-surface water were below detection limits.

Biologia Futura: integrating freshwater ecosystem health in water resources management

Sustainable water use implies the simultaneous protection of water quality and quantity. Beyond their function to support human needs such as drinking water provision, transportation and recreation freshwater bodies are also habitats. Conceiving them as water users on their own with respective biological, physico-chemical and morphological requirements could help maintaining their healthy state. Healthy freshwater ecosystems are also attractive for high-value human uses. Dwindling per capita availability of water, increasing demands, human well-being and climate change lead to competition for, and pressures on freshwater ecosystems. This has been conceptualized through the modification of the drivers–pressures–state–impacts–responses framework. This distinguishes between pressures, associated with the achievement of human well-being, and stressors, which are defined as the negative effect of excessive pressures or combination thereof on aquatic ecosystems. Guidelines usually specify threshold values to classify water bodies as appropriate for certain utilitarian uses. However, only few guidelines focus on freshwater ecosystem health. Eight guidelines for monitoring of freshwater ecosystem health were analysed in the UNEP-funded project “International Water Quality Guidelines for Ecosystems”. Based on this review, general benchmark values are proposed for key physico-chemical indicators. Furthermore, adaptive pathways towards improved monitoring and protection of the health of freshwater ecosystems are recommended. In this paper, we review the main findings of the report and also review its recent uptake. Water quality guidelines for freshwater ecosystems cannot be conceived without societal consensus and vision. Different climatic, geographical and socioeconomic contexts are to be considered too. Their development is embedded in an adaptive cycle. Its multiple phases and steps indicate a long-term approach including reassessment and potential revisions.